Puente de Piedra (Zaragoza) facts for kids
The Puente de Piedra is a famous bridge in Zaragoza, Spain. Its name means Stone Bridge in English. This old bridge crosses the Ebro River. Many people also call it the Bridge of Lions. This is because four lion statues stand on the bridge's ends. These lions were added in 1991. They are symbols of the city. A sculptor named Francisco Rallo Lahoz designed them.
Contents
History of the Stone Bridge
Building the First Bridge
People in Zaragoza wanted a bridge across the Ebro River for a long time. They started trying to build one in the 1100s. Finally, the Puente de Piedra was built between 1401 and 1440. Gil de Menestral was the person in charge of building it.
Floods and Rebuilding
In 1643, a big flood hit the river. It was so powerful that it destroyed two parts of the bridge. After the flood, the bridge looked different. You can see how it looked in a painting from 1647. It was called "View of Zaragoza" by Juan Bautista Martínez del Mazo.
The bridge was rebuilt in 1659. An architect named Felipe de Busignac helped fix the damaged parts. He also made the bridge's supports stronger. Later, in 1789, another architect, Agustín Sanz, worked on the riverbank. He strengthened the bank near the Monastery of St. Lazarus. This helped protect the bridge from future floods.
Why the Bridge Was Important
Rebuilding and improving the bridge was very important. It helped the area grow. It made it easier for people and goods to cross the river. This was good for the economy of Zaragoza and all of Spain.
See also
In Spanish: Puente de Piedra (Zaragoza) para niños
